Scorched Fury: A SkinWalker Novel #5 (DarkWorld: SkinWalker) by T.G. Ayer Read Free Book Online

budge. Losing patience, I said, "I'm here on Supreme High Council business and it's of utmost importance that I speak to her immediately."
    I didn't usually pull rank but the servant's haughtiness had begun to grate on my nerves.  
    At the mention of the Supreme High Council the Gracie-duplicate took a step back, gave a hesitant nod. "I can bring Mr Dawson down to have a word with you."
    I gritted my teeth, breathing slowly through them. "I'm not here to speak to Mr Dawson." I spoke sharply, annoyed that although she was moved to action, she was still ignoring my request. "I'm here to speak to Tara and I need to waste as little time as possible. Please could you let her know I'm here."
    The woman stilled, then straightened, a cool smile on her lips. "And who exactly are you?" Again her tone was dismissive, as if she spoke to a human.  
    "I'm Kailin Odel. Tara knows me."
    One eyebrow rose. As if.
    I didn't react, just waited on the threshold as the woman turned and disappeared into the front room on the right of the small hall. Footsteps hurried toward me and Tara appeared, flying from the room and enveloping me in a giant hug.
    Gracie 2.0 stared from the threshold, shocked and wide-eyed at our physical contact.
    I hugged Tara back.  
    Okay. Hopefully this means I won't be kicked out on my ass.
    Then she grabbed me by the upper arms and shook me hard. "What the hell are you doing here?" Her tone was harsh and urgent.
    I patted her hand gently, as if tempering a wild animal. "I'm sorry to have to do this, but we need to talk. It's extremely important. Otherwise I would never have intruded on your privacy."
    Tara's features softened. Her skin was even paler than normal and as she relaxed her markings surfaced, dark, shimmering and moving lazily on her skin like living things.
    The servant gasped as she stared first at the swirling tattoos, then at me. When her gaze returned to Tara's face, the disapproval was clear.
    Tara sighed. "Stop being so dramatic, Ani. Kai is a dear friend and she's seen my markings too many times for it to affect her."
    "You showed her your markings?" The girl herself seemed horrified, first at Tara's daring, and second that she'd  had the audacity to question her own princess.
    Tara's stern look admonished the girl, the darkness in her eyes deepening to match her ebony hair. Then her expression softened and she sighed. "Yes, Ani. We're best friends. As close as sisters."
    The girl sucked in a soft gasp. It seemed everything was shocking to her and I hoped the reaction wasn't a regular occurrence.  
    Tara looped an arm into mine and drew me into the front room. Over her shoulder she called for something to drink, then said, "You must excuse Ani. She's not used to meeting non-Fae, least of all one that is a confessed, on-hugging-terms bestie of the Queen."
    The Queen?
    My turn to stifle a gasp. "Crap. Is that why she was so shocked? I didn't bow or scrape or anything."
    Tara laughed softly and pulled me onto a white and gold striped loveseat, its curved legs gleaming with gold leaf. "You are forbidden to ever do such a thing with me."
    I shook my head, face serious. "No way. I give kowtowing where it's due." I grinned and then sighed. "I'm sorry again. I never would have disturbed you if it wasn't important."
    "How did you find me?" Tara tilted her head and studied my face, genuinely curious, yet the tiniest bit disapproving. I had, after all, broken the rules.
    "Mel helped me track you."
    Tara nodded, her eyes now shining with amusement. "And it took you this long to come see me?"
    Hesitating now, I frowned then shook my head. "Yes, I could have asked Mel to track you weeks ago. And no, I didn't. I respected your privacy, Tara."
    "And now you don't anymore?" she asked, her expression neutral.
    My heart thudded. Was she angry with the intrusion? "No. I still do. I'll be gone as soon as we've finished speaking. You must know that this is important. It's not personal at all."
    Tara made a face. She